Thomas J. Hudner Jr.

Thomas J. Hudner Jr.
Name	Thomas J. Hudner Jr.
Caption	Captain Thomas J. Hudner Jr., USN
Birth date	31 August 1924
Death date	13 November 2017
Birth place	Fall River, Massachusetts, U.S.
Death place	Concord, Massachusetts, U.S.
Placeofburial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Serviceyears	1946–1973
Rank	Captain
Unit	VF-32, Air Group 3
Battles	Korean War
Awards	Medal of Honor, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal (4)

Thomas J. Hudner Jr. was a United States Navy officer and naval aviator who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the Korean War. He is celebrated for intentionally crash-landing his aircraft in a failed attempt to rescue his wingman, Ensign Jesse L. Brown, the first African-American naval aviator, who was shot down behind enemy lines. Hudner's career spanned nearly three decades, and he remained a prominent figure in Naval Academy and veterans' affairs until his death. His story is a significant chapter in the history of naval aviation and Korean War heroism.

Early life and education

Thomas Jerome Hudner Jr. was born on August 31, 1924, in Fall River, Massachusetts. He was the son of a successful grocer and grew up in the nearby town of Somerset. He attended the prestigious Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, graduating in 1943. Following his preparatory education, Hudner entered the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, as a member of the Class of 1946, which was accelerated due to World War II. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and received his commission as an ensign in the United States Navy.

Naval career

After commissioning, Hudner initially served on the destroyer before applying for flight training. He completed his aviation instruction at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida and was designated a naval aviator in 1949. He was subsequently assigned to Fighter Squadron 32 (VF-32), flying the F4U Corsair as part of Air Group 3 aboard the aircraft carrier . In 1950, as the Korean War escalated, the Leyte and its air group were deployed to the Sea of Japan to conduct combat operations against North Korean and Chinese forces.

Medal of Honor action

On December 4, 1950, during a close air support mission near the Chosin Reservoir, Hudner's wingman, Ensign Jesse L. Brown, was struck by ground fire and forced to crash-land his damaged F4U Corsair in a mountainous, snow-covered valley in North Korea. Seeing Brown trapped in his burning cockpit and under enemy fire, Hudner deliberately crash-landed his own aircraft nearby to attempt a rescue. Despite efforts with another pilot, Marine Captain Charles Ward, and the arrival of a rescue helicopter, they could not free Brown from the wreckage before he succumbed to his injuries and the extreme cold. For this act of extraordinary bravery and sacrifice, Hudner was recommended for and received the Medal of Honor, presented by President Harry S. Truman at the White House on April 13, 1951.

Later military service and retirement

Following the Korean War, Hudner continued his naval career, which included service during the Vietnam War. He held various command and staff positions, including executive officer of the attack transport and command of the stores ship . He also served in the office of the Secretary of Defense within the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Hudner retired from the United States Navy with the rank of captain in 1973 after 27 years of service.

Personal life and death

After retirement, Hudner settled in Concord, Massachusetts. He was active with the Naval Academy Alumni Association and frequently participated in events honoring Jesse L. Brown and veterans of the Korean War. He married Georgea Hudner (née Smith) and had two children. Thomas J. Hudner Jr. died on November 13, 2017, at his home in Concord, Massachusetts, at the age of 93. He was interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Awards and honors

Hudner's decorations include the Medal of Honor, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, four Air Medals, and the Purple Heart. In 2017, the United States Navy announced that a future Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, , would be named in his honor. The ship was commissioned in 2018 in Boston. His legacy is also preserved at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida, and he is the subject of several books, including *Devotion: An Epic Story of Heroism, Friendship, and Sacrifice*.

Category:United States Navy officers Category:United States Naval Academy alumni Category:Medal of Honor recipients Category:Korean War recipients of the Medal of Honor Category:1924 births Category:2017 deaths